Project proceeding apace ... as expeditioners work really hard!

Fee Bellamy reports following a brief update from expedition leader Matt:

Project going amazingly. They have bitten off a hard task with 10 classrooms to paint… and the rest! They have made hanging baskets out of plastic water bottles and the whole school is turning around in terms of appearance.

The Torpoint students also visited a private school so that they could compare schools and we believe held the stage with a question and answer session with the whole school!

Working hard but still having fun on Project in Kathmandu

What do you mean there are 9 more classrooms to paint? 

We have communications ... all going really well and some photos just IN!

Report received (dated Sat 13th July) from Expedition leader Matt to Fee Bellamy: 

"Today went really well, although they have taken on a mighty challenge. About 10 classrooms to paint and some outer walls as well, plus two basketball hoops and a repaint of the school logo. The team have got really stuck in. We all returned back to the hotel covered in paint! :-) we are all well and looking forward to another challenging day tomorrow.

Megan and Beth win the award for most paint coverage on themselves (hee, hee!)

We took some of the girls out for a shop tonight, which made them very happy, and I am now the proud owner of a men's Nepali hat :-)

Have finally managed to send some photos, most of the better ones are still on my camera, but hope you enjoy seeing the expeditioners!" - Matt

ELEPHANT SAFARI ... CHITWAN JUNGLE! ... Anyone seen a Tiger yet?

Elephant safari Chitwan Jungle

ON TREK ... 

Cultural Interaction

Leaving our own 'footprint' at a trekkers' tea house

... more steps!

ALL ON-BOARD FOR KATHMANDU ...  

COMMUNITY PROJECT & VOLUNTARY WORK ... a messy business!

Arrived safely in Kathmandu ...

Expeditioners have arrived safely in Kathmandu and are relaxing at their hotel.
Tomorrow they will start putting project plans in place. 

 More detail to follow in a couple of days.

Elephant Safari in Chitwan jungle, rhino and deer spotted ...

Fee Bellamy reports:

Now in Chitwan! Yesterday was Elephant Rides and they also saw a little 10 day old baby Elephant! Rhino and Deer also spotted. 

Today they had Jungle Walks and canoed down the Rapti River. They visited the Crocodile Breeding Centre (these are fresh water, frog eating Crocs!) and are now freshening up before a slide show and then dinner. 

They will leave, after breakfast tomorrow, for Kathmandu where I'm sure they will have a little rest before starting their Project phase.

Elephant safari - Chitwan Jungle

Rhino - Chitwan Jungle

Canoe ride on River Rapti bordering the Chitwan Jungle

Baby elephant - Asian Elephant Breeding Centre, Chitwan.

From Himalayas to steamy Chitwan Jungle ...

The Lonely Planet guide describes Nepal as ... 

"Wedged between the high wall of the Himalaya and the steamy jungles of the Indian plains, Nepal is a land of snow peaks and Sherpas, yaks and yetis, monasteries and mantras."

Expeditioners transferred yesterday by road from Pokhara to the 'steamy jungle' of the Royal Chitwan National Park. 

Here are some typical sights and views our 'adventurers' will have experienced yesterday on their bus ride from Pokhara to Chitwan ...

Text from expedition leader Matt ... very happy group!

Just in ... 

"Hi Fee, just to give you a little extra update. We have just got back from an amazing meal with the whole trek team at an outstanding Nepalese restaurant. We put the guides in between us, chatted all evening, had a great laugh and then they sang a song, so two of our girls returned the favour. Now they are packing ready for Chitwan. They have had so many highlights in the last 7 days, they are a very happy group.
Love from us all."

End of trekking, celebration and thank you meal this evening - then off to Chitwan tomorrow!

Typical trekking scenery, Annapurnas

The group made excellent time on trek and arrived in time for lunch in Pokhara. Everybody has settled into their rooms and freshened up after their experience in the mountains.

Badges of honour & bravery!

Terry was the most popular with the leeches on trek ... he had 20 (!) at the last count which was taken as the group headed into Tirkedhunga yesterday.

Everyone loved the food and playing lots of card games in the evenings with the Sherpas and Porters. Udaya, Dawa Senior and Dawa Junior are just excellent. The expeditioners are going to take them all out for a fun evening meal in Pokhara by way of thanks for all their help. There will be, without doubt, much music and laughter.

Tomorrow, off to Chitwan, home of the Bengal Tiger!

Waterfalls in Annapurnas

Village Children on trek, Annapurnas